Islam: Supreme Muslim Council Recognized Jewish Connection to Temple Mount 

A nine-page English-language tourist guide entitled A Brief Guide to al-Haram al-Sharif, published by the Supreme Moslem Council in 1925, contradicts Islamic Wakf officials who currently deny any Jewish connection to the Temple Mount. The guide states that the Temple Mount site "is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest (perhaps from pre-historic) times. Its identity with the site of Solomon's Temple is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings."

The Council was the supreme Muslim body in Jerusalem during the British Mandate. Its guide focused primarily on the Muslim connection to the site, which began  in 637 A.D. In a description of the area of Solomon's Stables, which Islamic Wakf officials converted into a new mosque in 1996, the guide states: "...little is known for certain about the early history of the chamber itself. It dates probably as far back as the construction of Solomon's Temple... According to Josephus, it was in existence and was used as a place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus in the year 70 A.D."

Source: Jerusalem Post, (January 26, 2001)